Electrical switch means



Dec. 11, 1951 T. G. BURRICHTER ELECTRICAL SWITCH MEANS 6 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Oct. 3, 1945 Ef/@@QW? Dec. 11, 1951 T. G. BURRICHTER ELECTRICAL SWITCH MEANS 6 Sheets-Sheva?I 2 Filed 001;. 3, 1945 Dec. 11, 1951 y T. G. BURRICHTER 2,578,503

' ELECTRICAL SWITCH MEANS Filed oct. 5, 1945 e sheets-sheet s Ffa/:Ms 6. Bunn/cnn?? 11,1951 f T. G. BURICHTER 2,578,503

ELECTRICAL ySWITCH MEANS Filed oct. :5, 1945 6 sheets-sheet 4 70 Ri/0 RECEIVE? Dec. l1, 1951 T. G. BuRRxcHTER ELECTRICAL SWITCH MEANS 6 Sheets-Shea?I 5 l Filed 001'.. 3, 1945 fir.

m @M TJ@ Dec. 11, -1951 T. G. BURRICHTER 2,578,503

ELECTRICAL SWITCH MEANS Filed oct. s, 1945 e sheets-sheet e oM/is 61 Bunn/wrm?.

C 9% miz Patented Dec. 11, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ELECTRICAL SWITCH MEANS Thomas G. Burrichter, Chicago, Ill.

Application October 3, 1945, Serial No. 619,983

(Cl. Z50-20) Claims. l

The present invention relates to electrical switch means and more particularly to'means which may be preset for closing electrical circuits at later times.

Such presettable switches are desirable in connection with the operation of radio receiving sets, cooking, and other uses.

The present invention has been illustrated and will be explained in connection with electrical switch means for presetting radio receiving sets to bring in desired programs at predetermined times.

This invention more particularly relates to `timing devices and especially to devices that automatically tune in radio programs at predetermined times. It has among its objects and advantages the provision of improved push-button means for setting the stations and selecting the time for pre-selected tuning, and also, in the means of solenoids, provision for adaptability of use in those radio sets which, in their manufacture, have precluded previous similar tuning devices.

In previous devices, whether deft manipulation and tedious hand sorting of the many small, removable interior members is required or whether exterior manually operated push-button or dial means are provided to set these many interior members from "'on or off tuning position, a maximum of manipulation is required by the users of these devices to effect pre-selected tuning operation. A maximum of manipulation is required because any and all of these previous devices employ and represent each of their removable, interior setting members as a quarter of the hour or fifteen minutes, the smallest unit of tuning time, so that in selecting to tune in, whether for a full hour, three-quarters of an hour or for a half hour, whether by hand sorting or by mechanical means, it is necessary to manipulate the setting means as often as there are quarter hours in the duration of the program selected.

An important object of this invention is to provide a device which offers improved, efficient and positive means for setting the many, removable interior members from on or olf position with a minimum of manipulation. Common to all the stations tuneable on this device are a plurality of push-buttons, one for the full hour, one for each half oi the hour and one for each quarter of the hour, besides respective push-buttons for stations to be selected. For example, in setting a station to he tuned for a full hour reception, only one time push-button is employed, the hour button, instead, as in previous devices, of manipulating the setting means four separate and successive times to effect an hour reception.

Previous devices, especially those wh-ose range includes seven separate, daily tuning operations in weekly sequence, have limited their use and applicability to only those radio sets in which these devices have been included as part of the structure in the manufacture of these sets, be-

in lan ordinary radio set would entail drastic structural changes in the set itself because the interior of most radios, being naturally compact, would not ordinarily permit the addition of such tuning devices to the condenser of a radio. And too, the considerable bulk of such device would require displacement of more space than is available in most radio sets. A tuning device to be most effective should provide ready adaptability for use in any radio set yet to be manufactured or already in use. Some previous devices do provide adaptability to radio sets that employ either electrical or mechanical push-button means for direct station tuning or dialing, but these devices limit their pre-selected tuning operations to either a twelve hour or twenty-four hour period, requiring renewed settingsV after each period to accommodate for the variations in programs that ensue in the course of a week.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a device that will tune in any number of stations not only for twelve hours or twentyfour hours, but also for all the normally tuneable hours in a week, one that provides positive, efcient, improved push-buttons in its setting means, and one that provides ready adaptability for use in any radio that employes electrical or mechanical push-button station tuning means.

A further object of the present invention is to provide electrical switch means which may be set for closing electric circuits in the future.

Another object of the invention has to do with an electrical switch means for closing circuits in Athe future, and also with means for limiting the duration of time such circuits are electrically closed.

A further object of the invention has to do with electrical switch means including normally open contactmembers and a rotatable disc or drum having pins pivoted along its periphery movable from radial or on position to oblique or olf position so that when a pin in the on position is moved against one of the contact members of the switch this member is closed against the other contact member.

The invention has for a further object the provision of switch mechanism just described in which the drum and one of the switch contact members are moved in time relation.

A still further object of the present invention has to do with a novel electrical switch mechanism which may be preset to close a pluralitnr of switches in the future and with means for limiting the duration of electrical closure of such circuits.

The above, other and further objects -of the present invention will be apparent from the following description and appended drawings.

An embodiment of the presentinvention is i1- lustrated in the accompanying drawings andthe views thereof are as follows:

Fig. 1 is an isometric view of the mechanism of the present invention showing some parts in elevation and some in section, of a device for selectively closing circuits to a radio, there being three station push buttons illustrated.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view, with the cover plate removed, of the arrangement of mechanism of Ynism of Fig. 1, the View being taken just inside the left hand end wall of Fig. 1.

Y Fig. 4 is an end view of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a front face view of the same.

Fig, 6 is a view partially in elevation and partially in section, and somewhat diagrammatic in form, of certain features of the invention.

Fig, '7 is an isometric view of one of the fingers utilized in setting up the peripheral pins on the rotatable drums.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view through two drum vdiscs showing in full lines the pins in radial or `on positions, and in dotted lines the pins in oblique or off position and also shows means for preventing a pin in either position from being accidentally moved to the other position.

Figs. 9, 10, 1l and 12 are isometric views of four endwise movable carriers utilized to set up the Vdrum pins for any selected station and time.

Fig, 13 is a plan view of an endwise movable carrier utilized to move the drum pins from on position to off position.

Fig. 14 is a somewhat schematic view of the illustrated form of electrical switch showing various parts in different positions and illustrating the electrical circuits controlled by such switch.

Fig. 15 is a schematic view showing how the solenoids of the present invention may be connected to the push pull buttons of a radio set for cutting in any station in accordance with the presetting of the switches of the present invention.

Fig. 16 is a developed view of a portion of the contact plate of the rotatable switch member of the present invention, showing areas in staggered relation which are arranged to be engaged by 'any one of four of the movable contacts of the switch forl establishing circuit through such switch members. The plate has the areas staggered axially and circumferentially with all the areas electrically connected together.

Fig. 17 is a fragmental view of a movable switch member against its mating member.

Fig. 18 is an elevational view of a cam mechanism utilized in operation of the driving mechamsm.

Fig. 19 is a side elevational view of another cam used in the timing mechanism.

Fig. 20 is a side elevation of another cam for switch control.

To illustrate the invention the drawings show time switch mechanism adapted for controlling the operation of periodically operable apparatus, such as radio receivers, and other devices of the sort susceptible of control by adjustment thereof and by control of operating power supplied thereto. As shown the device embodies clock driven mechanism, including one or more duplicate mechanism sets, for controlling the supply of operating power, to the apparatus to be controlled, `and for adjusting said apparatus at desired intervals. To these ends thel device may comprise one or more rotary switches S adapted to control the supply of power to the controlled apparatus and, by energising solenoids 34, to adjust or tune the controlled apparatus, in desired fashion, the operation of the switches S, in turn, being controlled by the corresponding clock mechanism sets, so that the rotary switches S may affect the controlled apparatus, or not, as permitted by the clock driven mechanism.

In Fig. 14, power for operating the controlled apparatus may be supplied through line conductors C and D under the control of a switch P, in the conductor D. This switch P may be the usual manually operable power switch ordinarily supplied for controlling apparatus of the sort herein contemplated, including radio receivers; and the control device of the present invention provides power supply control switch means adapted to be connected in parallel relation with the switch P and to be closed at intervals to supply operating power to the apparatus being controlled regardless of the condition of the switch P.

Referring to Figs. 14, 16 and 17, each of the switches S is exemplified as comprising a rotatable cylinder 20 and a swinging arm 2| hinged -at 22 to a suitable support. A spring 23 is hooked at one end toa stop or anchor 24 and at the other end through a hole 25 in the arm 2| to normally `tilt the arm so that the electrical contact thereon is raised from the cylinder 20, as is shown at the right end of Fig. 14. On the surface of the cylinder 2E) is a conductor plate which, for want of a better term, is herein designated as grill A, and which is fashioned with a plurality of spaced areas 26 arranged in circumferenti-ally spaced relation with respect to one another. In the grill A as illustrated in Fig. 16 there are four rows of such areas, those in the second row being designated as 21, those in the third row as 28 and those in the fourth row as 29. These areas 26, 21, 28 and 29 are staggered circumferentially of the cylinder and constitute a series. The grill, as herein described, is provided with four such series for the cylindrical surface of the cylinder 20. A separate arm 2| and spring 23 may be provided for each of the areas 26, 2l, 28 and 29,

-as shown more particularly in Fig. 2. All of these several areas are electrically connected one to another so that when a hinged arm 2| is against the cylinder it will engage the areas in a row as the cylinder is rotated, in `a manner hereinafter described. Y

Each arm 2l has two contact members 36 and tor 3l arranged in face to face relation as shown'in Fig. 14, with the under surfaces ofthe ends arcuate so as to make surface engagement'with the underlying areas of the conductor grill A when an arm is against the cylinder. The contact element 30 is fastened in place by a conducting pin .32 to which is secured wire 33; Yand leading, in the present instance, to one terminal of a solenoid 34, the other terminal of which is connected through a conductor 35a, a snap switch M and a conductor l2! to one side C of a power supply line. The contact element 3| is fastened on the lever 2l by a pin 35 which also connects a conductor '36 to said contact'element. This conductor is connected with the side D of the power supply line through the conductor B and the starting switch E. A contactor strip 3l, suitably secured at to the frame work supporting the switch, bears against some part of the grill A so that irrespective of the angular position of the areas of the grill, the grillwill be electrically connected to the other side vD of the power supply line.

If desired, transformer meansr may be connected in the line wires to reduce the line current of the solenoid to a proper amount. The left hand showing of switch S, in Fig. 14, shows an area 26 of the grill A in electrical contact with the contacts 30 and Si of the swinging arm 2| so that circuits are established from the line wire D, on the power source side of the switch P, thence through the Contact 3l, to the grill A. One of said circuitsA proceeds from the grill, through the contact member 3i and the conducsupply source remote side thereof. This circuit serves to supply energy to the controlled apparatus when the switch E is closed and Contact 3| L engages the grill A, even though switch P may be open. The other circuit proceeds from the grill A through the contact 30, the connected solenoid 34 and the bus conductor 36a, thence through the snap switch M and the conductor to the common or bus conductor B which -is connected through a preferably manually operable switch E to the switch P, on the power Means to be hereinafter described are i areas 25 of the grill and the contacts of the Y swinging arm 2l so that even though the arm 2l still rests against the cylinder 20 as the latter l is rotated and the area 25 has been moved out from underneath contacts of thel arm, the circuit to the solenoid 34 will be broken.

Fig. 14 shows three duplicate switch mechanisms S interconnectedin parallel between the line D and the common conductors 36 and |2i, and it should be understood that as .many mechanisms S and associated solenoids 34 may be provide as may be needed for the adjustment of the controlled apparatus, such adjustment being accomplished in the manner hereinafter described, in response to the selective operation of the solenoids 34.

Utilization of the Ydescribed switch mechanism for operating the solenoiols is made to operate push pull buttons of a 'radio receiver so that a selected station will be operated when the timing device, to be later described, functions to close the connection between a swinging arm and its rotatable cylinder.

Afour hinged arms 2l.

Fig. 15 illustrates diagrammatically three solenoids 34, the cores of which are connected to the push pull tuning buttons 40 of a radio set.

Referring to Fig. 2, there is disclosed a'selector conditionable to operate, after expiration of. a desired. time interval to yadjust or tune a radio receiver to a selected setting for broadcast reception.

X designates a push button of the present switch mechanism which, when pushed, will cause the setting up of certain instrumentalities to later depress one or more of the hinged arms 2l Iof a switch setl S as shown in this figure. There are shown four such arms which constitute a gang arrangement for operating one station of a radio receiver in v15 minute intervals. The left band hinged arm 2i is for the rst 15 minutes of an hour, the next for the second 15 minutes, the third arm for the third 15 minutes and the fourth arm for the fourth 15 minutes of an hour. It is to be understood, of course, that the switch may be adapted for actuation of mechanisms other than radios, in which event the gang arrangement of the switch elements will be made to correspond to the mechanism to be energized.

In order to select and depress a selected arm 2i, at the desired time, a clock driven drum mechanism is provided. This drum mechanism may comprise sections, one for each station to be tuned, and each section may comprise four circular discs 4l, as shown diagrammatically in Fig. 2. These discs are all carried by a shaft 42 suitably journalled in the end walls of the casing. Figs. 3 and 5 illustrate velevational aspects Vof a disc.v Referring to Fig. 3, a disc 4i has its periphery equipped with a plurality of pins 43 which are pivoted at 44 to a disc and these pins are swingable from radial or on position to oblique or off position, as illustrated in Fig. 8. The pivotal mounting of the pins is such to hold a pin in either on or oir position as a disc is rotated. The normal position of the pins on the disc is the oblique or off position.

The four discs of a drum are so arranged that the pin carrying peripheral portion of the same aligns with the lengths of the several arms 2l of the switch. When a pin 43 is in on position and its disc is rotated to bring a pin against a swinging arm 2l in its normal position, the pin engages a hump [i5 on the arm to swing the contacts 3S and 3l against the cylinder 2B. The parts are so arranged that an arm 2| is held against its cylinder .for at least l5 minutes.

In order to prevent pins 43 in either of the off or on position from accidentally moving to the other position, a partition member 46 is arranged adjacent the periphery 'of a disc, there being as many partition members as there are discs. Fig. 8 illustrates the partition member 45 as being so disposed as to have its margin between the position of a pin in ofi" position and of a. pin in the on position, as illustrated in Fig. 8. Thus, as the discs are rotated it is impossible for any pin to move from off to on position or vice versa position.

As before stated, Fig. 2 illustrates a gang of Consequently there will be four discs in the drum which cooperate with these arms to selectively depress any one that may 'be determined by presetting of the device.

Referring tc Fig. l the partitions are readily apparent. A disc 4! is shown with the pins 43 thereof in oblique or oir" position.

In order to move a pin from oilE or on position, or vice versa, it is necessary that the pin drum for the X station.

pass a partition. To this end the partitions vare Vslotted as shown at 41 in Fig. 1, the slots in all of the partitions being in the same horizontal relationship. The button X of the selector device has a crosshead 48 extending horizontally across the edges of the four discs forming the To move a pin of any of the four discs of a drum, for any one station, a plurality-of carrier bars are provided. These bars, 49, 50, and 52 are illustrated in Figs. 2, 6, 9, 10, 11 and 12, and these bars are utilized to move the pinsfrom the oil to the on position. A carrier bar 53 illustrated in Fig. 13, is used to move pins from on to oi position.

The carriers 49 through 52 inclusive are arranged in face to face relation one behind an- Cil other With the carrier 52 nearest the crosshead 43 of the push button.

The carriers are each formed with an elongated opening 54 in which are mounted three tiltable fingers 55, 55 and 51, which are pivoted at their lower ends to the lower margin of the opening 54 and which are constrained to retracted position by springs 58 so that normally the fingers stand into position shown in Fig. 9. The fingers' of the several carriers are so positioned thereon in relatively/offset relation that when the carriers are mounted one behind the other the ngers of all of the carriers are in spaced side by side alinement with each nger opposite the edge of a corresponding pin disc 4|. Each carrier is provided with a plurality of elongated openings 59, 60, 6| and 62 in -the same horizontal row, two openings S3 and 54 in a row below the rst, and two other openings 55 and 55 below the second row. A lug 61 extends downwardly from the margin of the carrier.

The fingers 55, 5B and 51 of the several carriers are arranged to set up pins on the discs for the three station selectors X, Y and Z, for successive first minute periods of station operation. The fingers of carrier 49 set up the pins for the first quarter hour of operation for each Station while the carriers 50, 5| and 52 respectively control the pins for succeeding quarter hour periods. The fingers 55 are operable b-y the crosshead 48 of the station button X, the ngers 55 are operable by the crosshead of the button Y, while the fingers 51 are operable by the crosshead of the button Z.

Referring to Fig. 2, it will be observed that there are a plurality of push buttons 68, GQ, 1|!

`and 1| having stems which extend respectively through the elongated openings 59 to 62 of the carrier 49 and similar openings in the other carriers. The openings 59 of the carriers 50, 5| and 52, the openings 5G of the carriers 49, 5| and 52, the openings 6| of the carriers 49, 5! and 52, and the openings S2 of the carriers 4i), 5B and 5| are sized to freely receive the stems of the members 58, 59, 1U, and 1| which accordingly may be pushed longitudinally through said openings without moving said carriers laterally of said stems. The openings 59, Eil, 5| and 62 respectively of the carriers 49, 58, 5| and 52 are of smaller size, and the stems of the push buttons 68, B9, 1|! and 1| respectively have wedge portions S2 so related with the said smaller openings in the carriers 49, 5U, 5| and 52 will be shifted transversely of said stems, toward the left viewing Fig. 2, respectively upon operation of the buttons 68, 69, 1B and 1|.

To set up a pin for the first 15 minutes of an vhour of the X station, the button X is pushed which swingsthe ngers 55 to the right, as viewed'in Fig. 6. Such movement places the tongue 55a alongside an oblique pin on the disc, in register with the slot 41 of its partition. Then the push button 58 is pushed, the carrier 49 is moved to the left thus causing the tongue 55a to move the pin through the slot to on position, the buttons X and 68 are then released, leaving the pin in on position and returning the ngers and bar 49 to normal position.

To set up a pin for the second l5 minute period, the button X is pushed and then the button 69 is pushed moving the carrier 5) to the left to set the pin of the drum disc for the second 15 minute period.

It is to be understood that the button pressure of both the station button and carrier button is momentary, the carrier button being actuated after the station button is pushed.

It will thus be understood that the manner of setting up a pin applies to all oi the drum discs there are, there being discs for three stations illustrated.

Should it be desired to move pins from the on to the ofi position, a button 12 is pushed which moves the carrier 53 to the right whereupon the carrier engages a pin to move it from on to oir position through a proper slot 41 in a partition adjacent its particular drum disc. To this end the button 12 has a stem similar to the stems of the buttons 58, 63, 1@ and 1|. Said stem of button 12 extends in the openings 55 of the carriers 49, 5|), 5| and 52, and is adapted to move longitudinally through said openings freely and without camming engagement vwith said carriers. The carrier '53 however has an opening in which the stem of the button 12 extends which opening is of a size and disposition such that when the button 12 is pressed, an edge of said opening will be cammingly engaged by a wedge shoulder on said stern, sirnilar to the wedge shoulders 62 of the stems of the buttons 5B, 69, 1B and 1I, but facing in the opposite direction. Accordingly the carrier 53 will be moved toward the right, viewing Fig. 2, upon operation of the button 12 to shift pins to their 01T position.

As before stated, the device is herein illustrated as adapted to operate three radio station selectors. If more then three are to be operated, of course, the structure would be enlarged, the drum, lengthened along its axis to provide a auflicient number of discs, four per station, to satisfy the need.

The drum shaft 42 is driven by electric clock mechanism designated generally at O in 1. The mechanism shaft 13 carries keyed to it a gear and cam arrangement including a gear 14 and a double cam havinga rear cam surface 15 and a front cam surface 15a. A second gear 16 is rotatable on shaft 15 and meshes with pinion 45. A- pinion 11 on shaft 18 meshes with gear 14.

The cam surface 15 has a spiral face 19 terminating in an abrupt shoulder as shown in Fig. 18. The shaft 13 rotates in clockwise direction as viewed in the drawings.

Referring to Fig. l, a vertically disposed bar 8| is disposed inwardly of one end wall of the casing. The upper end of the bar 8| is pivoted at 82 to one end of a horizontal bar 83 while the other end of it is supported by a pin 84 secured in the casing. A lug 85 extends downwardly from the lower margin of the bar B3 and rides on the face 19 of cam surface 15. The lower end of the bar 9, Si is guided by a pin 86 fastened in the adjacent side wall. The bar is normally held against up-v ward vertical movement by a spring 8'5 fastened to stop 03 on the bottom of the casing and a lug 89 on the bar 3i. Pivoted at 90 to the bar Sl is a lever 9i having its other end. held by shaft t2. A pawl S2 is pivoted to the lever 9| to engage ratchet 9- which is keyed to the drum shaft 42, A spring S4 `Acarried by the lever 9| normally urges the pawl into engagementwith a tooth of the ratchet. It must be observed that as the clock shaft 'lnis rotated, the bar 83.With its lug 85 on the cam face 'i9 of thecam surface i5 will oscillate about theV pin 34raising the bar 0l once for every revolution of the clock shaft T3 (see Figs. 3 and 18). Consequently theratchet 03 is advanced one tooth every time the cam rear surface 'i5 is rotated.

Referring to Fig. 20, the front cam surface-a has four spiral like surfaces 91 terminating in abrupt shoulders 80 arranged 90 degrees apart and upon which surfaces 91 the lug 85a on the bar 5 rides (see also Fig. l). The shaft 13 rotates in clockwise direction as viewed in this gure. The bar 95 connected to one end of the bar 95, as shown in Fig. 3, is held in its lowermost position by a spring 98 connected between a stop 58 and a lugv 99 on the bar.

The cam surface l5 makes one revolution per hour thereby advancing the ratchet 93 one tooth per hour. IThe advancement of the ratchet 93 drives the drum shaft 42 accordingly thus imparting rotation to the various drum discs on the shaft.

The illustrated device is arranged to make one revolution of the drum shaft 42 per week so that every time the ratchet wheel 93 has advanced, a pin 43 on any one of the drum disks will be moved from one hour position to the next hour position. The drum discs carry 119 pins, the

balance of the peripheries of the drum discsbeing pinless. As thus arranged the drum will provide 119 pins for actuating the switch at hourly intervals for a Week, the portions of the drum discs which are pinless represent the period of rest when the switch would be open. The rest period is for eight hours which is a duration of time the segment 91a of the gear 1B (see Fig. 19) is in engagement with the lug 85 on its bar d3, it being understood that the lug 85 is during this period in engagement with both the rear cam surface 'i5 as well as the segment 81 (see Fig. 3). This stops rotation of the shaft for eight hours.

outwardly at one end of the casing and attached to the drum shaft 42 is a hand wheel led having indicia on its periphery denoting the days of the week in hourly intervals and the time of the day and the hours such as Monday '7:00 a. rn. and Monday 8:00 a. m. etc. The divisions represent full hours.

Suppose anoperator desires on Friday afternoon sometime to set the device to cut in his radio at 8:00 a. m. Monday to operate his radio for fteen minutes on station X. The hand wheel 00 would be rotated until the indicia of Monday 8:00 a. were in register with the pointer tdi. Movement of the hand wheel in this manner brings the pins 43 for the Monday 8:08 a. m. switch in line with the recesses 41 in the portion 40. The push button X is depressed and held, which moves the nger 55 to position their tongues 55a in line with the pins adjacent the slots 48. Then the button 68 is pushed, moving the carrier bar 49 to the left so that the i@ tongues' 55a will swing the pin through the slot to on position. The hand wheel is then rotated until the indicia thereon representing the Friday afternoon time is opposite the pointer l0 I.

Thereafter the device continues in operation and Monday at 8:00 a. m. will automatically close the radio circuitJ to the solenoid 3d which is connected to the push button of the radio set for the Xfstation.

In the same manner any station for any time may be preset and the selective station tuned in at such time.

The cylinder 2t, Fig. 3, of the switch arrangementxis given rotating movement by means of a pawl E02 engaging a ratchet wheel 03 on the shaftV idd which mounts all of the cylinders for the:severalswitches The pawl 182 is carried by a rocking bar E05 which is pin connected at ldto upright bar 95. rEhe ratchet 33 has as many teeth as there are 15 minute period divisions inv the contact grill A of the cylinder 20. There are l5 such divisions circumferentially of the cylinder. The cam surface 'i5a makes one revolution every hour, and by reason of its four spiral surfaces 91 and spaced shoulders 80, the bar 95 is actuated four times during each revolution and each time actuates the upright bar S5, whereby the ratchet 03 is advanced one tooth every l5 minutes. lThis arrangement maintains an area 2E, 2i, 28V or 29 of the grill A in engagement with its meeting hinged arm contact for a period of 15 minutes. Even though the arm vmay be held against the cylinder 20 for a longer period of time, the contacted area A moves out from underneath the contact on the hinged bar after a 15 minute engagement period.

The apparatus of the present invention is readily applicable to push button type of radio sets to tune in any station for any length of time at some future date.

For every push button of the radio there is connected a solenoid, the armatures of the solenoids being joined to the radio push buttons to move one in circuit closing position when any solenoids are energized. An electric circuit for the solenoid includes four switches which are capable .of being closed sequentially. The first switch closes the solenoid circuit for a first period of 15l minutes, the second switch closes the circuit fora second period of l5 minutes. The third switch closes the solenoid circuit for a third 15 minute period while the fourth l5 minute period is closed by a fourth switch. Utilizing such switch it is possible to preset a device so that any station in the range of the radio set may be tuned in at a later date for any particular time.

To operate the four switches, per station, the four drum discs heretofore described are utilized. A mechanism as illustrated is arranged to make one rotation of the drum shaft and its drum in one week, the dwells are of one hour duration. The cylindrical rotatable switch member makes one rotation in four hours with a dwell of 15 minutes. Because of the continued engagement of an arm 2i against the cylindrical switch member 20 and the arrangement of the spaced contact areas the electric connection between any area and its remaining conductor member of the hinged arm is limited to l5 minutes. In other words, the cylinder is rotated a distance, per step, to carry a contact area out from under its mating contact. There being four area spaces per hour for these four switches. One station may be tuned in to reproduce for a Whole hour, half '1 l hour, quarter or three-fourths of an hour by suitable manipulation of the push buttons which move the carrier bars 49, 50, and 52.

The hand wheel |00 is provided with indicia showing the days of the week, the days divided into hourly periods so that the mechanism may be preset to tune in a radio station any time within a week after presetting.V

Referring to Fig. 14 a conductor |20 is connected to the return wires 36a of the several sole- 1 noids, and leads to one contact |22 of a snap switch M. The switch includes a slotted bar |23 pivoted at |24 to the casing. A slide |25 projects through the slot in the bar and has an end |26 working in a guide |2'|. A spring |28 surrounds the end between the guide |21 and the slide to urge the slide to the left to swing the bar |23, which carries a contact on its lower end, away from the contact |22, thus normally keeping open the return circuits from the solenoids to the line C. The conductorl |2| is connected to the contact |29. A cam |30 on the shaft 'I3 has four points |3| arranged 90 degrees apart with the points in line with the slide |25. Whenever a point |3| engages the slide the slide is moved to the right, as viewed in Fig. 14, momentarily closing the return circuits of the solenoids. The cam |30 is timed so that the slide is actuated whenever the circuit is closed to a solenoid by the switch of Fig. 14. Even though the conductor 30 of arm 2| remains against an area of the grill A, no current will pass to a solenoid. This action snaps one of the radio push buttons 40 to circuit closing position in the radio set;

The invention has been described :more or less as to details, yet it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited thereby, as changes may be made in the arrangement and proportion of parts and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A mechanism of the class described comprising a plurality of station buttons, station set ups operative by said buttons, a station set up including four drum discs driven in unison, four switches operable by four discs, manual means for moving the ldrum to presetting position, a carrier movable parallel to the drum axis, a linger hinged to said carrier, said discs carrying pins along their peripheries and normally maintained in oblique or ofi position, and means for moving a carrier to cause its linger to move a pin to radial or on position.

2. A device of the class described, in combination, a presettable electric switch mechanism including a first contact, a second contact hinged to swing against or away from the first contact, a drum disc rotatable in the plane of said second contact, said drum disc having a plurality of pins along its circumference movable from oblique or off position to radial or on position, a pin in radial or on position engaging the said second contact to move it into engagement with said lirst contact, means for moving a pin to radial or on position, and means for rotating the drum.

3. A device of the class described, a rotatable drum disc having a pluralityof pins pivoted along its periphery and movable between radial position and oblique position, means for selecting and moving a linger to radial position, an electric switch having a movable contact member engageable by a linger in radial position to close the switch to establish an electric circuit, said switch having another member comprising a rotatable cylinder having a conductor plate on its surface forming a contact area engageable one after another by said rst movable switch member as said cylinder is rotated and arranged to open the circuit between said two switch members while both members are in contact as the cylinder is rotated to move a contact area away from the first movable member, clock mechanism for intermittently rotating said cylinder, and clock mechanism for intermittently rotating said drum to move said :linger in radial or off position from said switch member after a predetermined time interval to cause separation of said two switch members.

4. A device of the class described, a rotatable drum comprising four discs, every disc carrying a plurality of pins on its periphery with the pins maintained normally in oblique or off position, a partition member between the positions of the pins in oblique and radial or on position to prevent accidental movement of a pin in either direction, said partition have a gap in it through which a pin may be moved from one position to the other when the disc is at rest in a presetting position.

5. A structure as described in claim 4 characterized by a carrier endwise movable in a direction parallel to the drum axis, said carrier supporting a linger having limited swinging movement at right angles to the drum axis, said nger having a nose to move a pin from off position through said gap to on position when the linger is tilted to presetting position, a spring normally holding said linger in retracting position, a push button for tilting said finger to pin engagement position, and push button means for moving the carrier endwise while the linger is tilted to move the pin from oi to on position.

6. A structure as described in claim 4 characterized by a carrier endwise movable in a direction parallel to the drum axis, said carrier supporting a linger having limited swinging movement at right angles to the drum axis, said linger having a tongue to move a pin from oil? position through said gap to on position when the linger is tilted to presetting position, a spring normally holding said linger in retracting position, a push button for tilting said linger to pin engagement position, and push button means for moving the carrier endwisewhile th-e finger is tilted to move the pin from oli to on position, and another carrier movable parallel to the first carrier to move the pin from on to off position when said pin is in register with the partition gap and the drum is at rest.

7. In a mechanism of the class described, a drum comprising four discs carrying pins pivoted along its periphery and normally maintained in oblique position, partition members arranged to prevent accidental movement of said pins, means for intermittently rotating said drum, said partition means having gaps in register with a pin along the drum when it is at rest, a plurality of carriers movable endwise parallel to the drum axis and carrying fingers, the lirst carrier having a linger adapted to engage a pin of the lirst disc, second carrier having a finger adapted to engage with the pin of the second disc, third carrier having a linger adapted to engage a pin of the third disc, a fourth carrier having a nger adapted to engage the pin of the fourth disc, means for tilting said lingers, a push button effective to move the lirst carrier endwise to move a disc finger through the gap to on position, a second push button for moving the second carrier in like manner, a third push button for moving the third carrier in like manner, a fourth push button for moving the fourth carrier in like manner, a fth push button for moving the rst and second carriers together, a sixth push button for moving the third and fourth carriers together, a seventh push button for shifting all of the carriers simultaneously, and another push button for moving a fth carrier in the opposite direction to return the pins in on position to on position.

8. A device of the class described including a drum rotatable in step by step movement and carrying a plurality of switch closing pins, means operable to set the pins selectively in operative or in inoperative position on the drum, means for moving said drum comprising a bar pivoted to the drum axis and carrying a pawl to engage a ratchet on the drum, a vertically movable bar pivoted to the said first bar, a horizontal movable bar pivoted at one end to a iixed point and pivoted at the other end to said vertical movable bar and cam acting said horizontal har to swing it about in timed relation and clock mechanism for driving said cam.

9. An electric switch mechanism of the class described, including a rotatable conductor carrying a drum, switch operating pins selectively adjustable on the drum to switch operating and switch inoperable positions, means for intermittently rotating said drum, said means including a ratchet on the drum, a lever pivoted at one end to a fixed apport and carrying a pawl engageable with the ratchet, the other end of the lever being pivoted to an upright bar, the upright end of which is pivoted to a horizontal disposed bar with its other end swingable on a xed pivot, cam means for raising said horizontal bar intermittently, and clock mechanism for actuating said cam means.

10. A structure as recited in claim 9 characterised by the provision of means for rendering the cam movement of the horizontal bar ineffective for a predetermined period of rest.

11. In a mechanism of the class described, a drum shaft, plurality of drum discs on the shaft, a plurality of actuating pins hinged to the periphery of the disc to normally maintain an oblique inoperative position, means for moving pins to radial operative position, pawl and ratchet means for intermittently rotating the drum axis, clocl; mechanism operating continuously, mechanism actuated by the clock mechanism for operating the pawl and ratchet mechanism to rotate the drum for a portion of its path of rotation, and other means actuated by the clock mechanism for disabling the actuation of the pawl and ratchet mechanism for a predetermined period of rest.

12. A mechanism of the class described, a rotatable drum, a drum comprising a plurality of similar discs, the discs carrying a plurality of pins along their peripheries, said pins being normally maintained in oblique position, means for moving the pins to on or radial position, said moving 14 means comprising a plurality of endwise movable carrier bars movable parallel to the drum axis, the bars carrying a plurality of hinged nngers, the fingers having noses projectable into the path of an oblique pin, all of the fingers of the said several carrier bars being coaxially arranged, and a push button for moving a group of fingers into pin moving position.

13. A structure as described in claim 12 characterized by means for moving the pins in radial to off position, said means including an endwis-e movable carrier bar having projections engageable with pins in the on position, and means for moving the bar endwise in one direction to move the pins from on to off position.

14. In apparatus for the pre-selected tuning of radio receivers, the combination, with the tuning selector switches of the receiver, of an actuating solenoidoperatively associated with each of said switches, whereby to actuate each selector switch when its associated solenoid is energized, a solenoid circuit for each of said solenoids, a control switch in each circuit, and having one contact in the form of a metallic plate mounted on the surface of a rotatable drum and having spaced contact and insulated areas, and the other contact being secured on a hinged arm, means for moving the hinged arm against the rotatable drum, means normally urging said hinged contact arm and its contact away from electrical contact with said plate on said drum, and time operated means for rotating the drum to limit the duration of electrical connections between said contacts.

15. A mechanism as described in claim 14 characterized by the provision of clock controlled mechanism for moving said hinged arm against the drum to establish electric connections b;- tween them, means for pre-setting said mechanism to move said arm at the expiration of a selected time interval, said means for rotating said drum comprising clock controlled mechanism.

THOMAS G. BURRICHTER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,224,632 Ghigheri May 1, 1917 1,726,520 Kramer Aug. 27, 1929 1,983,759 Houston Dec. 11, 1934 2,130,164 Verkins Sept. 13, 1938 1,154,437 Colton Apr. 18, 1939 2,166,691 Pare July 18, 1939 2,172,623 Pitney Sept. 12, 1939 2,228,969 Osborn et al Jan. 14, 1941 2,284,916 Morris June 2, 1942 2,297,152 Jacke Sept. 29, 1942 2,346,623 Stewart et al. Apr. 11, 1944 2,387,961 Wihanto Oct. 30, 19415 2,410,721 Elliott Nov. 5, 1946 

